Rental inspections, fees nixed

Published 11:31 am, Saturday, April 13, 2013

Planning and Zoning commissioners listen to citizens speak during a public hearing concerning the city’s comprehensive plan Thursday. From left to right, are Jerry Rodriguez, Chris Lefevre, Mark Hardin, Chair Paul Drager, Danny Murphree, Paul Lyle and Kevin Sweeney. less

Planning and Zoning commissioners listen to citizens speak during a public hearing concerning the city’s comprehensive plan Thursday. From left to right, are Jerry Rodriguez, Chris Lefevre, Mark Hardin, Chair ... more

Photo: Shanna Sissom/Plainview Herald

Image 2 of 2

Plainview City Hall was filled Thursday night as residents opposed to additional municipal government regulations made their voices heard. The commission removed the most controversial aspect from the city’s comprehensive plan it approved, by omitting mandatory rental property inspections, which had met deep opposition at the commission’s previous meeting on March 28. less

Plainview City Hall was filled Thursday night as residents opposed to additional municipal government regulations made their voices heard. The commission removed the most controversial aspect from the city’s ... more

The vote was 5-1-0, with Commission Chairman Paul Drager, Commissioners Jerry Rodriguez, Chris Lefevre, Danny Murphree and Kevin Sweeney affirming and new Commissioner Paul Lyle abstaining, saying he had not had time to fully review the plan, and Commissioner Mark Hardin opposing.

“I really just didn’t feel comfortable with it and questions I had were not answered, in my opinion, fully and to my satisfaction,” Hardin told the Herald on Friday.

What commissioners voted on was a slightly revised plan from what was submitted by consultants following a year-long study.

Taken out were mandatory rental inspections and annual registration fees for every rental unit in Plainview. Also removed was a student rental housing registration program to identify where students live.

The omissions represented a very small part of the overall plan, but opposition from citizens was fierce, as about 100 people showed up at the commission’s March 28 meeting in protest.

The consensus then, as it was Thursday, is there are too many regulations and government intrusions.

“Are we trying to copy Washington?” Plainview businessman J.B. Roberts asked during Thursday’s public hearing. “Why go control us, that’s not what this country was founded on.”

It’s a shared frustration with code enforcement that many agreed has been building for some time.

“It shouldn’t take an act of Congress to build,” Shannon Thrasher told the commission. “There’s so many regulations now, they contradict themselves.”

Other members of the public shared similar sentiments.

Added to the plan is a provision geared toward improving the quality of housing and one item aimed at increasing neighborhood pride and stimulating resident involvement in improvement activities.

“This is a living document for us,” Assistant City Manager Jeffrey Snyder told commissioners, adding that it will undergo annual reviews as priorities change. “At the end of the day, it’s a recommendation.”

Members of the public seemed satisfied the mandatory rental inspection provision was removed, something they had all but demanded.

But throughout the meeting there existed a thread of disgruntlement toward the status quo. The commission chairman urged those voicing opposition to get involved.

“We need put-in, not just input,” Drager said as the meeting came to a close.

Addressing the public, Drager also said there hasn’t been a contested city office in 10 years.

“I think he’s right, we need to take our city back,” shouted resident Teressa King, who later told the Herald that citizens need to get more involved to make a difference in Plainview.

The plan next goes to the city council for its consideration and possible approval.